June Talk: Dee Ferris and Katie Ackrill in Conversation

 We used to hold regular 'in conversation' sessions with artists in our collection, so when putting together this year's talks, I thought I'd bring back the format with Dee Ferris if she was available because two of Dee Ferris' works were acquired for the Swindon Collection through the Contemporary Art Society. The two works have been on display in the space where works were shown on the ground floor of the Civic Offices before Museum & Art Swindon opened on the first floor. Here they are:

Above 'Sleepy Hollow' 2014 and below 'The Places We Go' 2022

There's also rather a good photo of both paintings with Cllr Marina Strinkovsky in between which gives you a good idea of their size.:

There was an article in the Advertiser said about the works in March 2023

We held the in conversation in the Council Chamber and photos taken from the large screens don't look too good, but I'll add them because they are a record of the event.

Above Katie Ackrill, Collections and Exhibitions Organise at MAS and on the left, Dee Ferris

Above on the left, This England, and on the right a photo of the first show at Corvi-Mora in 2004.

A very enjoyable in conversation, thank you Katie for interviewing and Dee for agreeing to go through the process.

Museum and Art Swindon opened 9th of July 2024

 Museum and Art Swindon, the former Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, officially opened its doors today at 10.30am. This is great news for all who have missed being able to visit the museum and gallery over the last 4 years. There was a preview yesterday and I was privileged to be able to look round, although I must say I was so excited, I didn't really take much in. The new museum and gallery are now situated on the first floor of the Civic Offices in Euclid St; the conversion is really good, and the space and general ambience of the site is perfect. This is what the Adver said about the opening last Friday: Swindon's museum and art gallery to open in new location | Swindon Advertiser

I didn't take many photos, this one taken before the ribbon cutting was taken by Friends committee member Martin Newman, thank you Martin. Back row, Frances Yeo, Museums Manager, Cllr Jim Robbins, Leader of the Council then front row, right to left, Cllr Strinkovsky , the Mayor, Cllr Imtiyaz Shaikh and me: 

I looked on social media and found Wessex Museums had taken some excellent photos, these are courtesy of them; I hope they don't mind my sharing them:

Above a view of the shop with the Origins exhibition which looks at the history of MAS from 1912 until the present day.

The Elisabeth Frink exhibition is a highlight, a travelling exhibition made possible by Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation funding through the Wessex Museums. Above ;The Risen Christ' Maquette and on the right, 'Green Man' part of the Swindon Collection.

Above and below different views of the Frink exhibition. We are holding a Friends' talk by Wilfrid Wright on Elisabeth Frink on 25 July after a celebration of the opening.

It's quite interesting that Swindon had an Elisabeth Frink sculpture outside WH Smith. It was a running man and was sold about 20 years ago. Money raised reputedly paid for new signage.

I also included a photo of the ceramics and jewellery cabinet, there's lots of fabulous stuff to buy in the shop with a high standard of displays both with things to buy and also with the other displays. 

There are quite a few talks and tours, so check out the What's On section of the website.

Great to have Museum and Art Swindon open after 4 years and looking forward to seeing more of the Swindon Collection of Twentieth Century Art on display soon.

Museum and Art Swindon Opening on 9 July

 Not a long post, just to say that we at the Friends of Museum and Art Swindon are thrilled to announce that the museum and art gallery will be opening in the Civic Offices on Tuesday 9 July at 10.30am.

This is how the news was shared on social media this morning:

Great news. Looking forward to visiting.